If there’s one thing guaranteed to ruin your christmas meal out with friends, family or collegues, it’s a nasty bout of food poisoning as Executive Chef Jason Plimmer explains……..

If you’re eating out, how do you know if the restaurant owner, and his staff are taking food hygiene practices very seriously.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme rates eateries and other places that sell food on their premises and hygiene standards, based on inspections carried out by E H Os (Enviroment Health Officers). What more, these ratings are for everyone to see.

This national scheme, developed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local authorities, rates food outlets on a scale ranging from ZERO at the bottom (which means urgent improvement is necessary) to a rating of FIVE (Very Good).

You can check the rating online of any food outlet at www.food.gov.uk/ratings or via a free phone App, or look for the distinctive green and black rating sticker that businesses are encouraged to display.

If you’re organising a christmas gathering with family, friends or work colleagues at a local restaurant, pub or hotel, dont just examine the menu, also check out what their hygiene rating is to before you go. So dont gamble with your health when eating out, particulary when celebrating a special festive meal, as Food Poisoning will ruin your christmas and sometimes can kill.